Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of this afternoon's Premier League clash between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium. The situation is simple for QPR: they have to win or else they will be relegated to the Championship. Meanwhile, a victory for City would boost the former champions' chances of finishing as runners-up to Chelsea. Team news should be through shortly.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernando, Milner, Fernandinho, Lampard, Silva; Aguero

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Kompany, Toure, Navas, Dzeko, Bony

Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini has done that rare thing of keeping the same starting XI for consecutive games as he names the same side that defeated Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. The only changes come on the bench as Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure both return having missed out against Spurs.

QPR: Green; Caulker, Dunne, Hill; Phillips, Barton, Henry, Yun; Fer; Austin, Zamora

QPR SUBS: McCarthy, Wright-Phillips, Kranjcar, Hoilett, Furlong, Grego-Cox, Comley

After seeing his team suffer a late 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield last weekend, QPR boss Chris Ramsey has been forced to make two changes for this afternoon's clash. Nedum Onuoha is suspended after being sent off against the Merseysiders, while Sandro has been ruled out due to an issue over his visa. That news broke just a short time ago and you can read more about it here. Yun Suk-young and Bobby Zamora are the players who come in.

We already know that Burnley will be playing football in the Championship next season, but are QPR about to join them. The R's have endured a torrid campaign and they are now left with the huge task of trying to beat Man City to retain their top-flight status. Chris Ramsey's side are currently nine points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.

The stats don't lie. QPR have won just seven of their 35 matches so far in the Premier League. That's the type of form that usually means relegation. Meanwhile, the strugglers have managed just two victories on the road all season. Oh, and they also have the worst defence having conceded 61 times.

Despite the team's struggles at the wrong end of the table, manager Chris Ramsey has urged his players to believe that they can come away from the Etihad Stadium this afternoon with the result that they need: "As long as there are points to be played for, you have to believe you can do it.

"The mood in the squad is very good, as it always has been. We understand we have a very big task ahead of us but we're going to go out with the same energy and enthusiasm that we have done in all the games we've played. We've got three games to save our season and I'm sure the players will be rolling their sleeves up to try to get that victory at the Etihad."

Man City's limp title defence was officially ended last weekend as Chelsea were crowned Premier League champions thanks to a win over Crystal Palace. However, Manuel Pellegrini's side still have plenty to play for in terms of fighting for the runners-up position in the table. The former champions currently sit in second place, level on points with Arsenal but having played a game more.

It could also be argued that many of the Man City players are playing for their futures. Big changes are expected on the blue side of Manchester this summer, both in terms of playing staff and coaching staff.

Indeed, Manuel Pellegrini's future has already been decided, according to widespread newspaper reports. The City hierarchy are expected to axe the Chilean at the end of the season in order to bring in current Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola. One news outlet has claimed that City are confident of landing Guardiola in the coming months. You can read more on that here.

Manuel Pellegrini: "Maybe in the position [QPR] are in in the table, they need to win the three games. Maybe you can come here with two strikers, as they did against us in London with Zamora or Austin or they can speculate and try to win the game on the counter-attack.

"But it doesn't matter who is the team we must play against, they are always difficult teams with difficult players. It is very important to keep the same spirit we had in the last three games."

Got a spare few minutes before kickoff? Why not check out our video preview of today's game below:

HEAD TO HEAD: Man City have the superior record when it comes to past meetings between these sides, winning 21 matches compared to 12 victories for QPR. The teams have also played out a total of 17 draws since they first went face to face.

QPR have held Man City to two draws in their last two games, including a four-goal thriller at Loftus Road earlier this season. However, the most famous encounter between the two teams in recent times came on the final day of the 2011-12 season when Sergio Aguero's last-gasp goal earned City the Premier League title. What an absolutely crazy day that was. For the record, QPR's last triumph away to the Blues came back in 2000 when the sides were scrapping it out in the second tier of English football.

In terms of tactics for this afternoon's clash, QPR will surely be looking to get plenty of bodies behind the ball and then hit Man City on the break. Chris Ramsey has shown some adventure in putting both Austin and Zamora up front, but they will not be expected to see much of the ball over the course of the next 90 minutes. Set-pieces will also be important for the visitors, with the likes of Caulker, Dunne and Hill possibly providing an aerial threat.

Speaking of Joey Barton, the midfielder hasn't exactly done his bit to rally the QPR troops ahead of kickoff. The former City player has pointed the finger at some of his teammates, suggesting that they haven't done pulled their weight during the season.

"There's a few people who need to have a good look at themselves," he told Sky Sports News. "Whatever happens on Sunday and the next two games, you have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say I did everything I can. Some people haven't done that."

The teams are starting to emerge in the tunnel as we edge closer towards kickoff. What must the QPR players be feeling? It's do or die for them today. Meanwhile, there are plenty of intense-looking faces among the City players as they try to put pressure on Arsenal in the race for second place.

Here come the teams!

KICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be Man City to get us underway. Here we go!

CHANCE! The hosts have enjoyed a positive start to the match and they almost take the lead through Aguero. Silva feeds the Argentine in the box, but his shot is blocked on its way through to goal. Aguero appeals for a penalty, believing that the ball struck an arm, though nothing is given.

What a dreadful start for QPR as Aguero gives Man City the lead inside the opening four minutes. The striker is allowed to run from deep, ghosting past a handful of defenders before dinking the ball over Green and into the back of the net. It's already looking like a long way back for the visitors...

The former champions are playing with plenty of swagger at the moment as they look to increase their advantage. They're not being helped by the crowd, who are fairly subdued despite seeing their team take an early lead, but the City players don't seem to mind too much about that. Meanwhile, QPR are just trying to steady themselves after suffering that early blow.

QPR are seeing hardly any of the ball as the home side continues to dominate. City are almost gifted a second goal as Dunne and Green both hesitate at the back, but the goalkeeper eventually hoofs the ball clear. Zabaleta then wastes a good crossing opportunity from the right by blasting the ball out of play.

The visitors are being forced further and further back while Man City look to make it 2-0. You get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before the former champions extend their lead. City pass and probe on the edge of the QPR box before Fernandinho tries to play in Aguero, but Green is off his line quickly to deal with the danger. A scramble in the area then comes to an end when Fernandinho smashes an effort high and wide.

QPR create their best opening of the game so far as a free kick from deep is cleared for a corner. The resulting set piece causes some confusion in the City box before the visitors are penalised for a foul by Austin on Kolarov. That could give the strugglers some encouragement.

DISALLOWED GOAL! QPR have the ball in the net, but it won't count. A cross from the left is headed in brilliantly by Austin, though it is ruled out for offside. It's the right decision as well.

QPR are enjoying a decent spell right now as they look to put a bit of pressure on Man City. However, it's the hosts who come close to scoring again as some delightful one-touch football sees Silva thread a pass through to Fernandinho, but there's too much on it and the ball runs out of play for a goal kick.

CHANCE! What a goal that would have been. Aguero, Silva and Milner all combine before the latter's cross is met by Mangala, who scuffs his effort from close range. That was wonderfully slick from Manuel Pellegrini's side.

They may have conceded early, but QPR are giving this match a good go right now. The visitors are continuing to see plenty of the ball in key areas, though it's Man City who are looking far more dangerous in the final third.

Man City drive another nail in the QPR coffin as Aleksandar Kolarov doubled Man City's lead with a trademark free kick. The left-back takes aim from 25 yards following a foul on Aguero and curls the ball beyond Green, who is livid with his wall. Could that signal the end of QPR's stay in the Premier League?

Where do QPR go from here? It could now be a case of resigning themselves to the drop and restoring some pride with a fighting display. The visitors haven't been all that bad, but some shocking defending has cost them dearly.

CHANCE! Man City are running rampant now. Aguero races past Dunne to give himself a shooting opportunity on the left side of the box, only for his effort to be palmed away by Green.

OFF THE BAR! QPR come within inches of reducing the deficit as Fer's looping shot comes back off the woodwork before Zamora's header is saved by Hart. Fer showed good control there because the ball that came to him was a high one that needed to be taken down quickly.

QPR threaten again as a patient move ends with Caulker crossing for Austin, but the striker is flagged for offside. The visitors certainly look capable of scoring this afternoon. It's just at the other end of the pitch where they have struggled. And that applies for the whole season.

There will be ONE MINUTE of added time at the end of the half...

While it's been a good opening half for Man City, QPR are on the brink of relegation. The visitors currently trail 2-0, with Sergio Aguero and Aleksandar Kolarov getting the goals for City. Chris Ramsey's side need to find the net three times after the break if they want to stay in the Premier League...

Man City have been far superior across all areas of the pitch so far, though QPR have had their moments. Charlie Austin has been lively up front, while Leroy Fer hit the crossbar with a looped effort over Joe Hart. That said, it is looking like an impossible task for the strugglers now.

Let's not take anything away from Man City: the former champions have played some sublime football this afternoon. David Silva has been integral to their cause, with the Spaniard pulling the strings from midfield. Meanwhile, James Milner and Sergio Aguero have also been key for the Blues with their movement and running.

Today's other match in the Premier League sees newly-crowned champions Chelsea welcome Liverpool to Stamford Bridge. If you're looking for a bit of half-time reading, you can check out our preview for that game here.

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini could well look to his bench in the second half, with the likes of Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Eden Dzeko among the subs. QPR boss Chris Ramsey may well look towards Junior Hoilett, Niko Kranjcar and Shaun Wright-Phillips if he wants to shake things up for his side.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are out for the second half and it will be QPR to kick us off. No changes from either manager during the interval.

CHANCE! QPR have an early opportunity to get themselves back in this game as Hart makes a mess of a cross from the left, but the goalkeeper eventually gets it under control. Zamora was lurking there, though he couldn't react quickly enough to prod the ball towards goal.

And that should be that as far as QPR's place in the Premier League is concerned. The ball starts up the other end of the pitch as the visitors win themselves a corner, but City break quickly from the set piece with Silva leading the break. The Spaniard's pass to Aguero is a poor one, though he is handed a big slice of luck as Yun allows it to go under his foot and through to the Argentine. From there it is business as usual for Aguero, who calmly slots past Green.

QPR SUB: The away side make their first change of the afternoon as Junior Hoilett replaces Zamora.

Man City are playing with complete freedom as they go in search of a third goal. Their passing and movement in the final third has been devastating and QPR just can't cope. The hosts mount another attack, with Zabaleta crossing for Lampard, but the midfielder scoops his shot over the bar from close range.

CHANCE! QPR are still giving it a go as Hoilett's fizzing drive from 25 yards forces Hart into an acrobatic save. The Man City goalkeeper had to be alert there.

SAVE! What a great stop from Green to keep the score down. Silva somehow wriggles through the QPR defence before trying to slot the ball into the far corner, but he is denied by the outstretched arm of the former England goalkeeper. Joey Barton then goes into the book for a foul.

SAVE! Green to the rescue again for QPR, this time palming away another stinging Kolarov free kick from 25 yards. Man City make a change soon after as Lampard is replaced by Wilfried Bony.

Sergio Aguero scores from the spot to seal his hat-trick and make it 4-0 to the hosts! The penalty is initially given when Phillips brings down Silva in the box, allowing the Argentine to step up and send Green the wrong way. He's been absolutely lethal today.

Man City are having a lot of fun out there at the moment. The home side are playing with an abundance of freedom and style, while QPR look like a team that just wants to go home. The bad news for them is that there's still over 20 minutes left to play at the Etihad Stadium.

CHANCE! Bony almost gets his name on the scoresheet as he is played in by Silva before seeing his shot kept out at the near post by Green.

The resulting corner gives Man City their fifth goal of the afternoon as Bony's flick is met by Aguero at the back post, who crosses for Milner to tap in. Simple stuff from the Blues. This is getting embarrassing for QPR.

MAN CITY SUB: The hosts make another change now as Yaya Toure replaces Fernandinho. Can the Ivorian compound QPR's misery during the final 20-odd minutes? He'll certainly be eyeing a place on the scoresheet.

QPR SUB: The away side change their personnel once more, with Niko Kranjcar replacing Leroy Fer.

CHANCE! Man City deserved a goal there following what was a brilliant team move. About seven players are involved before Toure finds some space inside the box, but the midfielder's attempt with the outside of his boot goes narrowly wide.

OFF THE POST! Man City continue to overwhelm QPR, and they nearly make it 6-0 through Bony. Silva feeds the Ivorian international down the right, but his low drive rattles the post before Milner shoots wide from the rebound. That's Milner's last contribution for the day as he is replaced by Jesus Navas.

QPR come close to pulling a goal back in fortuitous circumstances as Kolarov's attempted clearances comes off Austin, forcing Hart into a low save.

QPR SUB: Shaun Wright-Phillips enters the action and receives a great ovation from the Man City fans, who remember him fondly for his two spells with the club. The winger takes the place of Yun.

Superb football from Man City as they score their sixth goal of the afternoon. They have been sensational today. Bony receives the ball on the edge of the box before playing in Silva with a cute backheel. The Spaniard then keeps his cool inside the area to round Green and slot home. He deserves that.

Man City aren't taking their foot off the gas just yet, that's for sure. The Blues come close again as Bony is picked out by Toure inside the box, but the striker miscues his shot and slices off target.

There will be TWO MINUTES of added time...

The full-time whistle goes, confirming QPR's relegation from the Premier League. The visitors were thoroughly dismantled today and never looked like getting the win that they needed to keep their survival hopes alive. Meanwhile, Man City have booked their place in the Champions League for next season thanks to what was a resounding victory in the end.

That's all from our live text coverage of this afternoon's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!